Adjustable conveyor belt guiderail and related methods

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for guiding products along a conveyor in a conveying direction. The apparatus includes a first guiderail for at least partially forming a conveying path for articles on the conveyor. A guiderail adjuster includes a flexible or collapsible support, which make take the form of a linkage, and which provides support for the first guiderail along the conveyor. The flexible or collapsible support is adapted for being extended and retracted along a support rail extending in the conveying direction to selectively position the first guiderail relative to the conveyor, and thereby alter (increase or decrease) the width of the conveying path. Related methods are also disclosed.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/392,587, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/303,694, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. Nos. 62/508,700, filed May 19, 2017, 62/550,023, filedAug. 25, 2017, and which is a National Stage of PCT/US2018/033665 filedon May 21, 2018, the disclosures of which are fully incorporated hereinby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the article conveying arts and, inparticular, to an adjustable conveyor belt guiderail and relatedmethods.

BACKGROUND

Conveyors typically have rails positioned along each side of theconveyor chain or belt to guide an article along a conveying path.Articles travel between the rails, which are positioned to ensure thatthe articles remain on the conveying path. When a larger or smallerarticle is conveyed, or the width of the conveying path otherwise needsto be adjusted to accommodate an increased or reduced article flow, theguiderails must be adjusted to fit the situation.

Conventional guiderail adjustment systems use extending guide rods,which support a bracket attached to the guiderail. When the guiderailsneed to be adjusted, the rods can be moved along the brackets, which istypically manually done. These guide rods also protrude outwardly awayfrom the conveyor and into the surrounding area, thus increasing theoverall width and footprint of the conveyor. The guiderails includingrigid rods also create an unappealing look, since the extended portionsof the rods project from the conveyor sides.

Accordingly, a need is identified for an adjustable guiderail thatovercomes the foregoing limitations and possibly others that have yet tobe realized.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for supporting aguiderail for guiding one or more articles conveyed along a conveyorhaving a conveying path in a conveying direction. The apparatuscomprises a support rail and at least one adjuster for adjusting aposition of the guiderail relative to the conveyor in a directiontransverse to the conveying direction. The at least one adjustercomprises a collapsible support for engaging the support rail andsupporting the guiderail, the collapsible support adapted for beingextended and retracted into the conveying path in a direction transverseto the conveying direction to selectively position the guiderailrelative to the support rail, the adjuster including a retainer forfixing a location of the adjuster.

In one embodiment, the collapsible support comprises a pair of armsconnected for relative pivoting movement at one end, and each connectedto a shuttle for engaging the support rail at another end. Each of thepair of arms may be pivotably connected to a connector, the connectorincluding a receiver adapted for receiving a portion of the guiderail.The connector may include an extension for engaging the support rail toprevent the pair of arms from reaching a locked position.

Each shuttle may comprise the retainer for engaging the support rail. Atleast one of the shuttles may include at least one roller for rotatablyengaging the support rail.

The retainer may comprise an actuator for selectively adjusting theretainer for fixing or unfixing the location of the adjuster. Theactuator may include a wedge. The actuator may further include a leverfor moving the wedge into engagement with the support rail for fixingthe location of the adjuster.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus forsupporting a guiderail for guiding one or more articles conveyed along aconveyor having a conveying path in a conveying direction in connectionwith a support rail is provided. The apparatus comprises at least oneadjuster for adjusting a position of the guiderail relative to theconveyor in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The atleast one adjuster comprises a collapsible support for engaging thesupport rail and supporting the guiderail, the collapsible supportadapted for being extended and retracted into the conveying path in adirection transverse to the conveying direction to selectively positionthe guiderail relative to the support rail, the at least one adjusterincluding a retainer for fixing a location of the adjuster.

The collapsible support may comprise a pair of arms connected forrelative pivoting movement at one end, and each connected to a shuttlefor engaging the support rail at another end. Each arm of the pair ofarms is pivotably connected to a connector, the connector including areceiver adapted for receiving a portion of the guiderail. The connectormay include an extension for engaging the support rail to prevent thepair of arms from reaching a locked position.

Each shuttle may comprise a retainer for engaging the support rail. Atleast one of the shuttles includes at least one roller for rotatablyengaging the support rail. The clamp comprises an actuator forselectively activating or releasing the clamp.

Still a further aspect of the disclosure pertains to an apparatus forsupporting a guiderail for guiding one or more articles conveyed along aconveyor having a conveying path in a conveying direction in connectionwith a support rail. The apparatus comprises a shuttle adapted formoving to and fro along the support rail, the shuttle including a leverfor selectively urging a wedge to fix the location of the shuttle.

A collapsible support comprises a pair of arms connected for relativepivoting movement at one end. At least one of the arms is connected tothe shuttle for engaging the support rail at another end.

In one embodiment, each arm of the pair of arms is pivotably connectedto a connector, the connector including a receiver adapted for receivinga portion of the guiderail. The connector may include an extension forengaging the support rail to prevent the pair of arms from reaching alocked position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a partof the specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosedinventions and, together with the textual description, serve to explaincertain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a single conveyorguiderail adjuster according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the adjuster of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 , are top, rear, and bottom views of the adjuster ofFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the adjuster of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are left and right side views of the adjuster of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a collapsible guiderail support formingpart of the adjuster of FIGS. 1-8 ;

FIG. 9A is an exploded view illustrating a manner of connecting an armto one of the supports (shuttles) for pivoting movement;

FIG. 9B is a top view of the assembled configuration of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of FIG. 9A whenassembled, taken along line 9C-9C of FIG. 9B;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are top views of the support of FIG. 9 in an extendedand retracted condition;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the support of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a shuttle for connecting to the supportfor manual operation;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view Of the shuttle of FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shuttle for connecting to the supportfor automated operation;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the shuttle of FIG. 15 ;

FIG. 16A is a partially cross-sectional top view of the shuttle of FIG.15 ;

FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating aspects of an actuator for actuatingthe adjustable guiderail support;

FIG. 18 illustrates a tensioner for a cable forming part of the actuatorfor the adjustable support;

FIGS. 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 illustrate alternative forms of actuators;

FIGS. 24, 25, and 26 illustrate a system comprising two opposedguiderails associated with a plurality of adjusters;

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate various aspects of an extendable guiderail;

FIGS. 29, 30 and 31 illustrate guides for guiding an endless cable alonga curved section of a support rail for the adjusters; and

FIGS. 32, 33, and 34 are schematic views illustrating the creation ofvarious zones using the adjustable guiderails according to thedisclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferredembodiments of an adjustable guiderail for a conveyor, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-9 , one possible embodiment of a guiderailadjuster 10 forming one aspect of the invention is illustrated. Asillustrated, the adjuster 10 may be adapted to connect with a guiderail12 for guiding articles along a conveying path and in a conveyingdirection D (see, e.g., FIG. 19 ). The guiderail 12 may be supported bya support 14 forming a part of the adjuster 10, which may be flexible orcollapsible (that is, able to be folded into a more compact shape). Theadjuster 10 including the support 14 is thus capable of extending orretracting the guiderail 12 to change the relative position of theconveying path, without increasing the overall width of the associatedconveyor in a transverse direction as a result of the adjustment.

In one embodiment, the support 14 may comprise links in the form offirst and second supports or arms 16, 18 connected to each other. Thearms 16, 18 are rigid in the vertical direction, but pivotally connectedat their inner end portions, such as by a connector 20. The arms 16, 18and connector 20 thus create a linkage (which may be in the form of atwo bar linkage, but other forms could be used).

At the opposite end, each arm 16, 18 is connected to a structural partdesigned to reduce or eliminate friction or provide support or bearing.In the illustrated embodiment, this structure takes the form of amovable bolster or shuttle 22, 24 adapted to frictionally (by sliding orrolling) engage an elongated support rail 26, which extends generallyparallel with the guiderail 12 in the conveying direction D.Consequently, these connections and the relative movement establishedallow for flexing or collapsing of the support 14 in a directiontransverse to the conveying direction D.

The support 14 is also adapted to connect with the guiderail 12. In theillustrated embodiment, this is achieved by providing the connector 20with one or more receivers, such as clips 20 a, 20 b (which as discussedin further detail below may provide engagement such that the guiderail12 is fixed in position, or may be arranged to allow for relativesliding movement). As can be appreciated from FIG. 6 , the arrangementis such that the overall adjuster 10 has a very low vertical profile,with a height only slightly greater than the height of the guiderail 12.As can be seen in FIGS. 1-8 , an optional cover 28 may also be provided(removed in FIG. 9 ), which may engage the support rail 26 and provide ameasure of protection for the movable parts of the adjuster 10, butwithout interfering with their relative movement and operation.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 12 , the nature of the pivoted connectionof the arms 16, 18 forming the support 14 for the guiderail in oneembodiment is shown. Each arm 16, 18 may be provided with a trunnion 16a, 18 a, the ends of which are received and rotatably captured withinupper and lower receivers 20 c on either side of the connector 20.However, alternative configurations could be used, such as a simplehinge (with a mechanical pin or a living hinge). In any case, movementof the shuttles 22, 24 along the support rail 26 towards each othercauses the connector 20, and hence, the associated guiderail (not shown)to move along an adjacent conveying surface in a direction transverse tothe conveying direction. The movement is considered a flexible one, inthat the pivoting of the arms 16, 18 relative to the connection allowsflexing of the flexible joint thus formed. Likewise, movement of theshuttles 22, 24 in the opposite direction (farther away from each other)causes the arms 16, 18 to flex relative to each other (and connector 20)and thereby retract the guiderail 12.

Allowing the arms 16, 18 forming the linkage to reach a “bottomed out”((β=180 degrees or more) and potentially locked position may beundesirable (especially when the actuation of the adjusters 10 isautomated, as compared to manual). Thus, as can be appreciated fromFIGS. 10 and 11 , this condition may be avoided by providing the side ofthe connector 20 opposite the guiderail 12 with a protrusion orextension 20 d projecting transverse to the conveying direction, whichthus serves to define the maximum flexing of the joint formed betweenthe arms 16, 18. This protrusion or extension 20 d of the connector 20may be sized and positioned to engage the support rail 26 in the fullycollapsed position of the linkage, and thus prevent it from bottomingout and becoming locked in position. Of course, the protrusion couldalso be provided on one or both of the arms 16, 18, or even on thesupport rail 26, to achieve a similar result.

As can be appreciated with reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 , by way ofbeing selectively extended or retracted, the support 14 creates anenhanced level of adjustability for an associated guiderail 12. Theadjustments may be achieved in an easy and efficient manner, and withoutremarkably increasing the footprint of the overall conveyor system.Specifically, extending or retracting the support 14 allows theguiderail 12 pivotally attached thereto by virtue of connector 20 to beconfigured to provide a variable width conveying path for a number ofdifferently sized articles to be conveyed. For example, when a smallersized article is desired to be conveyed, the guiderail 12 need only bemoved in an inward or inboard direction I transverse to the conveyingdirection D, thereby causing it to collapse in this direction (and thuscausing the flexible joint to assume an acute angle α, such as forexample as little as 5 degrees in the illustrated example, and possiblylower in the event the arms 16, 18 may be arranged parallel to eachother)). In other words, the arms 16, 18 move from a position where therelative angle between them is greater to one in which it is reduced orsmaller. This narrows the conveying path, and thus allows for a readilycustomizable arrangement for guiding a variety of differently sizedarticles.

Likewise, if it is desired to convey a larger sized article/object orotherwise extend the width of the conveying path relative to theunderlying conveyor, the guiderail 12 need only be moved in an outwardor outboard direction O transverse to the conveying direction D (andthereby flexing the joint so as to create a large, obtuse angle βbetween the arms 16, 18, which may be up to but not including 180degrees, and as shown is limited by the presence of the protrusion 20 dto prevent a lock out condition). In other words, the arms 16, 18 movefrom a position where the relative angle between them is smaller to onein which it is greater. In all cases, it can be appreciated that no rodor like structure projecting outwardly from the support rail 26, andthus the overall width of the arrangement does not change as a result ofthe extension or retraction. The resulting conveyor system may thus havea smaller footprint than would otherwise be the case if transverselyextending rods and corresponding mounts were utilized.

The adjustment of the support 14 may be manually or automatically done.In the manual version, and with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 , eachshuttle 22, 24 may be provided with a retainer 30 for use in selectivelyengaging the support rail 26 and thereby holding the shuttle in thedesired position. In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 30comprises a post 32 supporting a pivotally mounted lever 34, such as byway of snap-fit engagement with a clip 32 a. The inside of the lever 34includes a wedge 36, which is sized and positioned for not engaging therail 26 in one position, but frictionally engaging it in a differentposition (note positions 34′ (free) and 34″ in FIG. 9 (retained)).Opposed plates 38, 40 may be retained by a fastener F to hold the post32 in position, and each plate 38, 40 may include a guide 42 forslidably receiving a portion of the support rail 26. The plates 38, 40may also include apertures 38 a, 40 a for receiving a correspondingfastener (such as a keyway plug 16 c; see FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C)depending from a proximal end of each arm 16, 18 for pivotallyconnecting the ends of the arms 16, 18 with the shuttles 22, 24.

As can be appreciated, by disengaging the retainer 30 using lever 34,the associated shuttle 24 is free to move to and fro, such as bysliding, along the support rail 26, and thereby extend or retract thesupport 14 and, hence, the associated guiderail 12. When a position isreached corresponding to the desired extension or retraction of theguiderail 12, the retainer 30 may be reactivated to establish fixedengagement with the support rail 26. As can be appreciated, it is onlynecessary to move one of the shuttles 22, 24 to achieve the desiredextension or retraction of the guiderail 12 in view of the collapsiblenature of the support 14 created by the pivotably connected arms 16, 18.

The shuttles 22, 24 may also be readily adapted to work in an automatedenvironment. Specifically, at least one, and potentially each shuttle22, 24 may be adapted to engage an actuator for causing movement to andfro along the support rail 26, depending on the degree of actuation, andthus extending or retracting the arms 16, 18. As shown in FIG. 17 , theactuator may comprise a connector for connecting with the shuttles 22,24, such as a flexible cable 44. The cable 44 may extend over pulleys 46at each end (only one shown in FIG. 17 mounted to one end of the supportrail 16, but the arrangement would essentially be the same as shown atthe opposite end of the support rail 26; see, e.g., FIG. 19 ). Thearrangement thus forms an endless loop (which may be associated withplural adjusters 10, as outlined further in the following description).

To cause the cable 44 to traverse the endless path, it may be entrainedaround a driver, such as capstan 48, which may be associated with amotor 50 (e.g., a servomotor) also forming part of the actuator in thisembodiment. As shown in FIG. 18 , the cable 44 may also be provided witha tensioner, such as a turnbuckle 44 a, to allow for the tension to beadjusted as necessary or desired.

In this example, and with reference to FIG. 16 , each plate 38, 40 maybe provided with a retainer 52 for selectively engaging the cable 44.The retainer 52 may comprise a clamp in the form of a pivotable cam 54(only upper one shown in FIG. 16 ), but could take other forms as well(e.g., a bolt with a flange for capturing a portion of the cable 44against a corresponding surface of the shuttle). The cam 54 may bejournaled on a reduced diameter end 56 a of a post 56, which may be heldin place by a fastener F.

In the illustrated example, and with reference to FIGS. 16 and 16A, thecam 54 includes an enlarged, rounded inner face 54 a for engaging andpressing the cable into engagement with a frictionally enhanced portion55 of the plate 38, 40 (which may be identical, but inverted; in otherwords, plate 38 is identical in form to plate 40 in FIG. 16 , so it canbe understood that the upper plate includes frictionally enhancedportion 55), and a free end 54 b adapted for tactile engagement formovement between the hold and release position. A lock, such as aremovable locking tab 58 with flexible legs for engaging a projection 58a in a snap fit engagement, may also be provided for engaging and fixingthe cam 54 in the locked or closed condition, thus engaging the cable(shown in phantom line in FIG. 16A). A roller or pulley 60 may berotatably journaled at the opposite, reduced diameter end 56 b of post56 (upper when the cam 54 is at the lower plate 38; lower when the cam54 is at the upper plate 38, as shown in FIG. 16 ).

As can be appreciated, the cable 44 has a forward run and a return runin view of the endless loop established. By connecting one shuttle 22 tothe upper run using the clamp (cam 54) located as shown in FIG. 16 , andconnecting the other shuttle 24 to the return run using a clamp (cam 54on plate 40, as per FIG. 16A) at a corresponding location, actuationusing a single actuator thus causes the shuttles 22, 24 to move towardor away from each other, thereby flexing the joint of the support 14created by arms 16, 18 and extending or retracting the guiderail 12. Thealternate run of the cable 44 that is not fixed to the shuttle 22, 24simply engages the roller/pulley 60, and thus does not impede therelative movement.

With continued reference to FIG. 16 , each shuttle 22, 24 may also beprovided with rollers 62 to create low-friction engagement with thesupport rail 16. The rollers 62 may comprise individual rollers 62 aconnected to the plates 38, 40 by fasteners 64 and arranged for engagingan outer face of the support rail 16, as well as rollers 62 b journaledin the plates 38, 40 for engaging the inside face of the support rail16. As can be appreciated, the spaced rollers 62 a allow for a portionof the rail 16 to pass for engaging and supporting the cover 28.

Alternative forms of actuation are possible, which advantageously mayuse a single actuator for activating plural adjusters 10 for adjustingthe width of the conveying path. For example, as shown in FIG. 19 , theconnector, such as cable 44, may be associated with a rack 66, which isarranged for engaging a rotatable pinion 68. In view of the endlessnature of the cable 44, and the corresponding connections with theshuttles 22, 24 as described above, actuation of the pinion 68 in onedirection causes the simultaneous actuation of plural adjusters 10. Thisadvances the guiderail 12 (shown as two disconnected portions withphantom portion for purposes of illustration) in the transversedirection T of the conveyor C (which as indicated has a conveying path Pformed by a conveying surface (chain or belt B) in the conveyingdirection D, and note reduced width path P′ as a result of the advanceof the guiderail 12 in the transverse direction). Specifically, rotatingthe pinion in a clockwise direction moves the rack to the right in FIG.19 , and in view of the connection of the forward run of the cable 44with shuttles 22 of each guiderail adjuster 10, and the return run withshuttles 24, causes the advancement illustrated. Reversing the directionof rotation of pinion 68 causes the opposite movement to occur.

The actuation of the adjusters 10 associated with the conveyor C mayagain be manual or automated. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 20-22 , a handwheel 70 may be connected to the associated conveyor C and rotated tocause the actuation of one or more of the adjusters 10 (basically, asmany as are connected to a single connector or cable 44, which could beany number (2, 5, 10, 20 or more), depending on the strength of theactuator arrangement used. FIG. 23 illustrates the use of a motor 72(e.g., servomotor) for automated operation.

FIGS. 24-26 illustrate an overview of a possible arrangement of theadjustable guiderail support system 100 incorporating a plurality ofadjusters 10 for use in connection with a conveyor having a conveyingpath (not shown). Opposed inner and outer guiderails 12 a, 12 b areshown for guiding articles (not shown) along the conveying path. Theadjustable guiderail supports 14 a, 14 b are supporting inner guiderail12 a and the adjustable guiderail support 14 c is supporting outerguiderail 12 b. Thus, if it is desired adjust the conveying path width Wto accommodate differently sized articles (or groups thereof), guiderail12 a (along with guiderail supports 14 a, 14 b) and guiderail 12 b(along with guiderail support 14 c and any others present) may be moved.The movement may again be manual or automatic using a single actuator(including cable 44) transverse the conveying direction D along eachsupport rail 26 (with an associated motor, the operation of which may becoordinated by a single controller) in order to widen or narrow theconveying path width W (note smaller width W′ in FIG. 25 , and evensmaller width W″ in FIG. 26 , which may correspond to a single row ofarticles being conveyed, such as bottles or cans). In such situations,it may be desirable to have the receivers (e.g., clips 20 a, 20 b)firmly engage the guiderail 12 a, 12 b at every other adjuster 10, butslidably engage at others, to allow for the desired extension andretraction.

FIGS. 27-28 illustrate that the guiderail 12 may comprise an extendablejoint 74 comprised of portions, such as legs 12 c, 12 d, having areduced vertical dimension (basically each equal to one half of theoverall guiderail height). These legs 12 c, 12 d may overlie each otheror overlap in a vertical direction, and are slidably received inreceivers 76, which may take the form of C-shaped clamps that allow forrelative movement of the legs (toward a common center during retractionof the guiderail 12 and away from it during extension). The receivers 76thus retain the legs 12 c, 12 d together, yet capable of relativemovement in the conveying direction during extension and retraction ofthe associated guiderail portions. This allows for the guiderail 12 toprovide the desired extension and retraction, such as via supports 14,to accommodate a particular article being conveyed or form a particularconveying path. Hence, one or both of the legs 12 c, 12 d may be curved,but use of the supports 14 in connection with straight portions that areconnected by the extendable joints is also possible. It can also beappreciated from FIG. 28 that the extendable joints 74 allow foropposing guiderails 12 to extend or retract different amounts, which mayoccur when one is associated with an inside curve and the other with anouter curve.

Depending on the size or shape of the underlying conveyor C, it may alsobe desirable to provide a guide intermediate the adjusters 10 forguiding the connector, such as cable 44. As shown in FIGS. 29-31 , thismay be achieved using the manual shuttle 22 or 24 of FIGS. 13 and 14 ,which may be equipped with pulleys 60 for engaging the upper and lowerruns of the cable 44. The shuttles 22, 24 may be selectively positionedusing the associated retainers 30. Stationary brackets 78 may also beprovided with upper and lower guides 78 a, 78 b for guiding therespective runs of the cable 44.

FIGS. 32-33 schematically illustrate a possible application of theadjusters 10 to create zones of different widths in a single conveyor orconveyor system (e.g., comprised of multiple conveyors). As shown inFIG. 32 , a first series of adjusters 10 a associated with an underlyingconveyor C may be used to provide an upstream portion of the conveyorwith guiderails 12 a, 12 b spaced farther apart, thus forming a firstzone Z1, and a second series of adjusters 10 b may be used to placedownstream guiderails 12 e, 12 f spaced closer together, thus forming asecond zone Z2. The adjusters 10 a, 10 b may be manually adjusted, orassociated with different actuators (e.g., a cable system, as describedabove). Later in time, as indicated in FIG. 33 , the adjusters 10 a, 10b may be altered to make the zones Z1, Z2 the same width, or for zone Z2to be wider than zone Z1, as indicated in FIG. 34 . As can beappreciated, the material of the guiderails 12 a-12 b may be flexible orinclude flexible interconnections (including the joints 74 describedabove) to allow for the relative movement, which is exaggerated in theschematic figures for purposes of illustration).

The foregoing descriptions of various embodiments of an adjustableguiderail and related methods provide illustration of the inventiveconcepts. The descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe disclosed invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications orvariations are also possible in light of the above teachings. Forinstance, the connector forming a part of the actuator may comprise aflexible ribbon, which may be manually actuated by a lever. While theshuttles 22, 24 are shown as overlying and sliding upon the support rail26, the shuttles could also be recessed within cavities in the supportrail 26, while still functioning as shuttles. The shuttles may also takedifferent forms, such as for example elongated flexible ribbonsconnected to the arms 16, 18 and designed to move along the support rail26 or within a cavity formed therein. Any elements described herein assingular can be pluralized (i.e., anything described as “one” can bemore than one), and plural elements can be used individually.Characteristics disclosed of a single variation of an element, thedevice, the methods, or combinations thereof can be used or apply forother variations, for example, dimensions, shapes, materials, orcombinations thereof. The terms “substantially,” “about,” or“approximately” are meant to mean as close to the correspondingcondition as reasonably possible, and typically not varying from it bymore than 10%, unless circumstances indicate otherwise. Any specieselement of a genus element can have the characteristics or elements ofany other species element of that genus. The term “comprising” is notmeant to be limiting. The above-described configurations, elements orcomplete assemblies and methods and their elements for carrying out theinvention, and variations of aspects of the invention can be combinedand modified with each other in any combination.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for supporting a guiderail forguiding one or more articles conveyed along a conveyor having aconveying path in a conveying direction, comprising: a support rail; andat least one adjuster for adjusting a position of the guiderail relativeto the conveyor in a direction transverse to the conveying direction,the at least one adjuster comprising a collapsible support for engagingthe support rail and supporting the guiderail, the collapsible supportadapted for being extended and retracted into the conveying path in adirection transverse to the conveying direction to selectively positionthe guiderail relative to the support rail; wherein the collapsiblesupport comprises a pair of arms connected for relative pivotingmovement at one end, and each connected to a shuttle for engaging thesupport rail at another end; and wherein each shuttle includes at leastone roller for rotatably engaging the support rail.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein each arm of the pair of arms is pivotably connected toa connector, the connector including a receiver adapted for receiving aportion of the guiderail.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein theconnector includes an extension for engaging the support rail to preventthe pair of arms from reaching a locked position.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein each shuttle comprises a retainer for engaging thesupport rail.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further including an actuatorfor actuating movement of the shuttles along the support rail towardeach other to extend the guiderail and away from each other to retractthe guiderail.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the actuatorcomprises a cable, and each shuttle comprises a clamp for clamping theshuttle to either a forward run of the cable or a return run of thecable.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the support rail supports apulley for guiding the cable.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5, furtherincluding a motor for moving the cable to and fro along an endless path.9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one roller comprisesat least two individual rollers, one of said individual rollers arrangedfor engaging an outer surface of the support rail and a second of saidindividual rollers arranged for engaging an inner surface of the supportrail.
 10. An apparatus for supporting a guiderail for guiding one ormore articles conveyed along a conveyor having a conveying path in aconveying direction, comprising: a support rail; and at least oneadjuster for adjusting a position of the guiderail relative to theconveyor in a direction transverse to the conveying direction, the atleast one adjuster comprising a collapsible support for engaging thesupport rail and supporting the guiderail, the collapsible supportadapted for being extended and retracted into the conveying path in thedirection transverse to the conveying direction to selectively positionthe guiderail relative to the support rail, wherein the collapsiblesupport comprises a pair of arms connected for relative pivotingmovement at one end, each having a corresponding shuttle and connectedto the shuttle for engaging the support rail extending in the conveyingdirection at another end, wherein each arm of the pair of arms ispivotably connected to a connector, the connector including a receiveradapted for receiving a portion of the guiderail: and wherein theconnector includes an extension for engaging the support rail to preventthe pair of arms from reaching a locked position.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein each shuttle comprises a retainer for engaging thesupport rail.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the actuatorcomprises a cable, and each shuttle comprises a clamp for clamping theshuttle to either a forward run of the cable or a return run of thecable.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the support rail supportsa pulley for guiding the cable.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, furtherincluding a motor for moving the cable to and fro along an endless path.15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each shuttle includes at leastone roller for rotatably engaging the support rail.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 10, further including an actuator for actuating movement of theshuttles along the support rail toward each other to extend theguiderail and away from each other to retract the guiderail.
 17. Anapparatus for supporting a guiderail for guiding one or more articlesbeing conveyed along a conveyor in a conveying direction along aconveying path, comprising: a support for supporting the guiderail, thesupport for expanding and retracting a flexible joint in a directiontransverse to the conveying direction according to movement of theshuttles along a support rail in the conveying direction; wherein thesupport comprises a linkage comprising first and second arms eachpivotally connected at a first end to a connector for forming theflexible joint, said first and second arms each connected for relativepivoting movement at a second end, each of the first and second armshaving a corresponding shuttle and connected to the shuttle at a secondend of the first and second arms; wherein each shuttle connected to eachsecond end of the first and second arms is adapted for translating alonga support rail extending in the conveying direction and wherein each armof the first and second arms is pivotably connected to the connectorincluding a receiver adapted for receiving a portion of the guiderail,wherein an extension of the connector engages the support rail toprevent the first and second arms from reaching a locked position. 18.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the connector is adapted for engagingthe guiderail.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, further including anactuator for actuating the support to move the guiderail to and fro intothe conveying path in a direction transverse to the conveying direction.